(Evesham) – Governor Jon S. Corzine today announced that the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) will eliminate the Marlton Circle at the intersection of Route 70 and Route 73 in Evesham Township, Burlington County.

“This is definitely a win-win project,” said Governor Corzine. “The elimination of the Marlton Circle will increase safety and decrease congestion in Evesham, benefiting residents and commuters. But more importantly, by investing in infrastructure development like this, we are spurring New Jersey’s economy and generating new job opportunities for our citizens and their families.”

On Thursday, April 9, NJDOT will begin the elimination of the Route 70/73 Marlton Circle, which will reduce congestion and improve safety. An average of 100,000 vehicles currently travel through the Route 70/73 interchange, and 110,000 vehicles are projected to use the interchange by 2029.

The $31 million interchange improvement project will eliminate the existing traffic circle and replace it with a new overpass carrying Route 73 over Route 70. The two highways will be connected via the construction of new local exit and entrance ramps. NJDOT will install new traffic signals on Route 70 at the intersections with the new Route 73 connector ramps and at West Main Street. A new access road, Centre Boulevard Extension, will provide access to commercial properties along Old Marlton Pike and connect Route 70 to Centre Boulevard.

“I want to make sure this plan benefits the residents and business owners in the area,” Congressman John Adler said. “That’s why I am working to fix the design, to connect Main Street with Old Marlton Pike. I have heard from so many Evesham residents and businesses who want the plan to pull the community together, making us safer and more prosperous.”

NJDOT is currently working with local officials to modify the project by improving the intersection of Route 73 and Centre Boulevard in order to encourage economic development, connect motorists to commercial destinations in the West Main Street/Old Marlton area and accommodate local traffic in Evesham. This would enable Evesham to connect Main Street and Old Marlton Pike in the future.

“The Marlton Circle elimination project and the new Marlton Connector will service our county’s current needs and will allow for continued business growth along this important corridor,” said Burlington County Freeholder Chris Brown. “I support Smart Growth and I will make sure that Burlington County continues to help the municipalities that undertake such important planning initiatives.”

“The Marlton Circle project will not only serve our current needs but also be flexible for the future growth of the community through the potential addition of the Marlton Connector,” said Evesham Township Mayor Randy Brown. “It’s a regional solution that meets the needs of the 80,000 transient residents we serve every day. As mayor of the largest municipality in Burlington County, I am proud that we were able to work with the State of New Jersey to include our township’s Smart Growth interests into their regional transportation plan.”

The construction contract was awarded on March 4, 2009 to South State Inc. for $30,738,783.25. The Marlton Circle elimination project is scheduled for completion by winter 2011.

Route 70 and Route 73 will remain open to traffic at all times during construction. Single lane closures may take place between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning, Monday through Sunday. NJDOT will maintain access to all local businesses and properties.

Variable message signs will be installed on Route 70 and 73 to inform motorists of changes in traffic operations during construction. Construction information and real-time traffic updates are available at www.511nj.org.